What Are Your Personal Strengths and Weaknesses?

Do you know your personal strengths? A very easy question, but if I would be the interviewer in an job-interview, what would you answer? Can you name your biggest personal strengths instantly?

Why it’s Good to Know Your Biggest Personal Strengths

Knowing your personal strengths and weaknesses can help you a lot in choosing the right career or making good decisions. Because if you are able to focus what you do around your personal strengths, you have the chance to create something remarkable, while making it look like it’s almost effortless for you.

And probably not easy for everyone else. This is what you do best and where your real talents are. If you want to have a comfortable life you should focus on using those strength to the fullest, because that’s where you have an competitive advantage and where you can create the most value for other people.

Define Your Personal Strengths

When you try to find your own strength, think about what comes naturally easy for you. And don’t choose attributes that you would like to have or that you admire. This is a typical trap. Especially avoid those which seem hard to do for you.

Instead choose those that are describing your core. What is so obvious that you almost doesn’t notice it in you anymore, since it is like your very nature?

Here are some examples of typical people’s strengths:

Action-Oriented

Adventurous

Analytical

Artistic

Athletic

Authentic

Caring

Clever

Compassionate

Charming

Communicative

Confident

Courageous

Creative

Curious

Determined

Disciplined

Educated

Empathetic

Emotional Intelligent

Energetic

Entertaining

Fast

Flexible

Focussed

Good-Looking

Helping

Inspiring

Intelligent

Leadership

Learning

Motivated

Optimistic

Open-Minded

Organized

Outgoing

Patient

Precise

Responsible

Self-Controlled

Speaking

Spontaneous

Social / People Skills

Strategic Thinking

Team-Oriented

Thoughtful

Trustworthy

Visionary

Warm

Willpower

Wisdom

Choose those that fit your strengths and then compare them against each other to bring them into an order. 1 is your biggest strength and 5 (or do 10 if you like) is at the 5th place. When you compare them ask yourself: “What can I do better?”

It can also be interesting think about a big strength you have that is relatively rare in most other humans. For instance strategic thinking is a relatively rare quality, while for instance confidence or creativity is not really. So when you are thinking about your career, maybe you should build your work around those personal strengths that you do possess but most other people don’t. Then you can create the most value for others.

Find Your Personal Weaknesses

Equally important as knowing your personal strengths is knowing your personal weaknesses. Those are attributes that you will have a hard time when doing it, it’s difficult for you. That’s why you should try to let people who are better than you do this.

Everybody has weaknesses. It’s a natural thing, humans are not perfect. So don’t be embarrassed to look at your weaknesses. It will help you to improve yourself to know them.

And here are some examples of typical people’s weaknesses:

Aggressive

Arrogant

Bossy

Chaotic

Close-minded

Complaining

Contemptuous

Controlling

Cynical

Fearful

Greedy

Hesitant

Ignorant

Impatient

Impulsive

Indifferent

Insensitive

Intolerant

Irresponsible

Lazy

Lethargic

Loose-tongued

Mistrustful

Moody

Naive

Negative

Obstructive

Passive

Prejudiced

Reckless

Rude

Selfish

Shallow

Short-sighted

Shy

Sloppy

Stubborn

Slow

Strict

Undisciplined

Vague

Wasteful

There are probably more, so don’t hesitate to use them and write them into the comments.

Here are my personal top 5 weaknesses:

Lethargic

Ignorant

Slow

Stubborn

Hesitant

So I have to work on those weaknesses in order to not make them matter too much in my life. Everybody has 1 or 2 weaknesses that you have to keep in check. If you don’t they will produce negative consequences and may even disrupt your efforts while you use your personal strength.

So identify them, and if you are brave enough, write them into the comments below as well! :-)

Should You Improve Weaknesses or Focus on Strengths?

That’s a tough question. In general it’s much better to focus on using your personal strengths and try to control your weaknesses. A good business strategy can be to focus your energies on your strength only and try to outsource or delegate tasks that would bring you into your personal weaknesses.

On the other hand, facing your weaknesses can have a lot of potential for personal growth. If you are not good at something, improving even slightly can have a nice positive impact on your overall quality of life.

An example would be if you are a lousy cook, improving your cooking skills slightly could give you benefits in everyday life. You don’t have to be a master to profit from cooking. Same would be if you are not good at sports. Starting to run can be really helpful for your overall health, although you will never run a marathon or start at the olympic games.

I remember a documentary about Michael Jordan where it said that Jordan was never good at shooting from the distance, but he improved it to a master level by constant practice. Same with his defensive game. It said “He asked what are my weaknesses and how can I make those my strength?”
Well… I would say these where no real weaknesses, they just weren’t his absolute strengths in the game. Still, by almost fanatic practice he improved even this part of his game. It may would have given other results if he would had to play chess against Garry Kasparov on the basketball court… ;-)

Conclusion

So knowing your personal strengths and weaknesses can give you a lot of insights in understanding and changing yourself. And it will help you to make the right decisions.

Please do the little exercise and reveal your own personal strengths and weaknesses. Write them into a comment and I might comment back on them later.

Comment by Saima Tully

my strengths
. helpful- especially when it come to my fellow students
. patient- i wait until am sure about something
. inspiring- i do something today that i know it will influence a lot of people positively
.trustworthy- am someone who you can rely on though i may break your trust one day but i learn from that
. self-controlled- am always trying to make myself out of my best

weaknesses
. stubborn- i always do something by force even though i know how its done
.easily distracted- i respect my time so much but i have to be distracted even they say sorry
.strict- lecturing may not be my career but i expect what i instruct to my fellow students to be done
.fearful- i don’t like asking but i find it more friendly and helpful

Comment by Rizalyn

thanks for this blog its very helpful and useful for me to understand what is my weakness and strength ,
today i sat down with my manager for an appraisal after along conversation he asked me “what is your strengths and weakness i was got stuck, then he told me to make some research.a big shame on me..

my biggest weakness is my confident – i cannot be able to deliver what i’m about to say in front of crowd.

Comment by Jeff

“Do you know your personal strengths? A very easy question, but if I would be the interviewer in a job-interview, what would you answer? Can you name your biggest personal strengths instantly?”

This is NOT the first question that will be asked of you in a “Behavioral Interview”. In fact, this is a question that will NEVER be asked in a “Behavioral Interview”.

I would suggest that anybody who visits this blog should focus their attention on being able to answer the VERY FIRST QUESTION that will be asked in a behavioral interview. WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?

I have lived in fear of this question. Thankfully Myrko has provided a list of weaknesses that we all should take stock in. As you take inventory of your personal assets, do not ignore the dark side of your professional being.

As I stated in a previous response above, I am thankful for this blog. It helped me identify the most difficult aspect of my self assessment which is “How Much Do I Suck?”

Comment by Marcia T

interesting blog i was shy to mention or look into my weaknesses but since i read this it has helped me see those weaknesses in me.
My strength
focussed-
optimistic
patient
team oriented
caring
communicative- even when someone doesn’t want to speak to me or doesn’t seem to like me
trust worthy
determined
creative
open minded

My weaknesses
short sighted-
slow- this one is what i want to get rid off i hate myself when i am getting slow
shy- i think i was born with this since i was a child
lazy- i used to exercise but these days i no longer do

Comment by Soma

What do I do if I have more weaknesses than strengths?
I’m creative, caring, compassionate, and had to add funny myself.
However, I’m cynical, fearful, hesitant, lazy, negative, shy, stubborn, and slow. I feel terrible.

Comment by Paul Ngessah

Hi Myrko,
Thanks for the list, it is good for one to know their weakness and strength. Our strength and weakness are two natural phenomenal that are innate to our making, and it is there for a reason. I consider it a natural balancing act. Can you imagine, if we all were very intelligent or good looking? Then, what becomes of that quality of our lives? it becomes useless to us because there is no difference, everything look and feel the same. The reason there is strength and weakness, is for us to appreciate each other value, in that, where one person is lacking, the other person can compensate for that weakness.
In business, the weakness of a business is an opportunity for the competitors. This how we survive, once we understand that, we will stop tripping over our weakness.
My Strength:
Good looking
Patient
Listening
Empathy
open minded
Hardworking

Comment by Hanh

I just lovelovelove your blog and articles you post. Like, they’re just so lovely and outstanding and wonderful. They’ve helped me uncover the real me that was hiding underneath and slowly start to accept myself and life. They’re very helpful. I just want to say thank you and with kind regards, please continue to post more meaningful posts; I’ll be on the lookout. :)

Cheers,

Hanh

Comment by Hilda Ainembabazi

Hay, I find my personal strength to be patient, team oriented, trustworthy, self controlled, leadership, responsible.
my weaknesses are non other than controlling, complaining.
now what kind of a person am I?

Comment by Jeffrey James

I like how you mentioned that in general, it’s best to focus on your strengths. As you said, it is important to know our weaknesses as well, but our time is often best spent further improving our strengths.

Comment by Ramesh Desai

Comment by En En

I was told I have traits that are BOTH my strength & weakness depending on the situation & who I’m with.

For example, I’m a very vocal & concise person. I get straight to the point and get my message across so I find that this kind of prompt communication will save a lot of time than beating about the bushes. This generally works fine until the more oversensitive folks would say the way I put it may come across as too direct/straightforward.

Another example is I’m an organized person. I label my files & folders. I list down things/notes that are important to me or helpful for others. I don’t think this is OCD but I would expect things that are borrowed from me to be put back at where it was taken or in the condition when I last saw it. When people don’t comply, I feel the need to set this rule to remind them. To them, they think I’m being calculative instead.

It can be frustrating that you just can’t please everyone and they always have something to say about your strength or weakness.

Comment by Ruchi MORE

First of all Thanks a lot for this post Myrko, it is indeed very helpful. Sometimes you know what are you weaknesses and strengths but it is difficult to put them on paper or to answer when questioned about it. Your post gives a very clear idea of how you can bring it out. Also the posts related to this one.

Talking for my personal strengths, I would also put Strategic thinking as my first.

1. Strategic Thinking
2. Social/Personal Skills
3. Flexible – In terms of adjusting to various situations and environments, more like adaptive

Weaknesses, hmmm, it is a tough one, some of the words you used sound very negative to be used for an interview I would say [not that they are not true]. But if I have to pick from the list, it is difficult to select. Still I have a few:

1. Controlling – In the sense that I like things to be in order or done is a certain way that is comprehensive to the whole team or for a task. People have different views, but I like that if a task is provided, all should have the same base. If they don’t it freaks me out a bit. Not that it counters my strength of working in a team, I still work well and I with my “personal skills” communicate it properly and am able to get the task done at an agreeable level of all.

2. Judgemental – Not always, but it has happened most of the times that I judge the person on the first meeting itself, good or bad and later the bad perception turns good and vice versa. I am trying to work on it, and have conquered most of it, like I would say 45% [not a lot, but still it is something] . I am not sure if this is the right word to use in an interview, but that is the closest word to my weakness. If you know of any other word for this trait, do let me know.

3. Critical – Of myself, I always push myself to do better or condemn or be harsh at times. It is at times good when you are expected to perform your best, but in my belief it is not the best. I am trying to work on it too, and trying not to over-do it and affect my work and capabilities.

And thats all, 3 S and W is what I could list, I think 3 each are enough ;) Though I might have more [ I believe I do] , but people stop reading after the 3rd sometime or listening per se.

Comment by Myrko Thum

@Rishabh Jain: If you haven’t read it yet, I would suggest the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. You can realize that the present moment is really all there ever is, so that’s where you can access yourself and your life unfolding. I wrote about it here:

Comment by Rishabh Jain

My two biggest weakness are that i think a lot about my future and get worrysume unnecessarily …i think i am not enjoying my present as i should and i think that is what would haunt me …say after some yrs down the line…it will be a good gesture at ur part if u can guide me through my weaknesses….

Comment by Myrko Thum

What you say about non-expressive and group-isolation is a bit like the skill of social competence. But in order to develop it you also need to develop self-esteem and not take things to seriously. Most group talk is small-talk, just to enjoy the time and get to know each other in a convenient way.

I can identify with your weaknesses but as I was getting older I learned not to take the situation so serious and just let my need to enjoy myself (around other people) come through.

Trustworthiness got added as a potential strength to the list. Thanks!

I’m a guy 22 Y-O. I’m working on the 1st weakness (mingle around group). Group? Yes, group is my biggest challenge. I’m trying to contribute something when everybody talking – I’m too quiet. I’m still struggling (within few years) but the improvement is just a little. Maybe because during childhood i’m kind of introvert.
Do you write any article about communication skills in conversation among group?

Comment by symjone ricketts

Hi Myrko
I have a presentation on Strengths and weaknesses in regards to personal development.. I intend to quote some of your writings (with reference to this website of course). Do you have any other specific tools that will allow individuals to utilise their strengths and improve their weaknesses.

Comment by Zack

I should say the “opportunity to listen…” When someone is being belittled they might as well be being punched in the face- they are in a self-preservation mode and are in no place to listen to any sort of corrective criticism.

Comment by Zack

I could of written your post. I’ve employed one to two sometimes three people for over a decade and I have watched my employees break under the pressure of my arrogance and impatience. It is really amazing the power of words motivated by impatient arrogance. It is very easy to belittle someone with that combination. I’ve learned to replace my arrogance with laughter and teasing and my impatience with impatience. So now I motivate with impatient teasing which is a monster of an improvement. It doesn’t belittle which allows a person to listen when you are trying to correct a weakness.

Good luck

Comment by Zack

I am curious where you got your lists of strengths and weaknesses from. They are pretty good, I especially liked the list a couple weeks back of character attributes. I had been looking for such a list for quite a while.

An antidote about strengths and weaknesses: Bob Knight, legendary basketball coach and horse’s rear, has a simple philosophy that he used at Indiana University (Indiana happens to be my home state) to bring the best out of his players. His philosophy was to eliminate weaknesses in his players being that when all the weaknesses were gone what was left was the best that they could be. I took this as a form of gospel and I have found this to be more or less true. Or I should say that as I have eliminated or smoothed out my weaknesses my strengths began to become more apparent. Had I focused on the other end, strengths, then I would of found myself tripping over my weaknesses and my strengths would not have as much strength in them, and therefore not as noticeable. So basically I have begun to discovered who I am by challenging myself about my weaknesses. I still loath paperwork. Organization is as alien a concept to me as string theory: fascinating to read about the possibilities/potentialities, but as remote as the North Pole.

Comment by Myrko Thum

@Zack: These lists started as I was thinking about what my own attributes were. Then I added more and more of what I found via additional research, while trying to keep the list as tight as possible, avoiding synonyms or very similar attributes like “Selfish” and “Egoistic”.

Working on your weaknesses is worthwhile. It balances your character, removes the otherwise hard edges, which makes life easier for you and makes you a more enjoyable person to be with. And then, exactly as I said it before in the comment above already and as you put it: “…as I have eliminated or smoothed out my weaknesses my strengths began to become more apparent.” – so yes, I think working on your weaknesses makes total sense. Your biggest successes will probably still come from using your strength then.

Comment by Myrko Thum

@Rittie, that’s right. I think keeping your weaknesses in check is one acceptable way to go. Sometimes it’s the only way. Working on them to a certain degree can in fact elevate your strengths even more, since they get more room and are not disturbed by behavior that stems from your weakness.

Comment by Rittie

The problem is recognizing the weaknesses and stopping them before they create problems. I am spontaneous and creative. I also tend to be reactive and impulsive. Sometimes that as served to get me into a lot of trouble but also been helpful!

Comment by James

Hi, a useful exercise for us all, many thanks. When I take a look at myself, I realise that a lot of the extremes of my younger self have calmed down although some of my behaviour, I realise, must seem a bit polarised to others. Sometimes I am calm, focused, warm and and creative. On a bad day, my perception of the world slips and I end up in the most foul, negative places where I am cynical, moody, selfish and lethargic and quick to point the finger to my circumstances. Weirdo!

However, I can recognise the things that worked in the past (job that I found fulfilling and discipline through kung fu) and am working to knit them back into my life.

Comment by Myrko Thum

Yep, and I have (or maybe had, being more experienced now) a similar issue with expecting results too fast. It leads to frustration, one of my “favorite” emotions. But over time you learn to deal with your weaknesses much better, so it happens less frequently for me now.

Comment by Vincent Nguyen

It’s difficult sometimes to filter myself and watch my boastfulness. My confidence then slowly becomes that of arrogance even when I’m not trying to be. I’m working on it and it is getting much better, but I am well aware of the fact that it is a minor problem.

I also expect too many results too quickly. It’s a good sign of ambition which I guess I can say is one of my strengths, but impatience can be a hit to the ego. I feel discouraged at times due to my impatience, but I’m getting there.

There’s no shame in being hesitant, Myrko. As long as you remember to take action when it counts. :)

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